Enemies are not Always Across the Border, a Few of Them Get Nurtured with the State

By, Dr Poonam Patil, Consultant – Medical Oncologist, Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road, Bangalore.

To build awareness around various factors which has a significant impact on our lives, days and months have been dedicated. The month of July, marks Sarcoma Awareness month.

Sarcoma is represented by a sunflower yellow ribbon.  The bright yellow colour will always find ways to lighten the dark days for sarcoma. Although, people know about cancers in general, many are still unfamiliar with sarcoma. Sarcoma is under-researched cancer whose research can help to elevate cancer treatment, as a whole.

Sarcoma is a rare but deadly form of cancer affecting connective tissues such as fat, muscle, nerve, bone etc. It is most often found in the arms and legs, where the majority of connective tissues are located, but it can occur virtually anywhere. Because the disease often starts deep in the body, it may not be noticeable until a large lump or bump appears — and at this point, cancer may be difficult to treat.

Sarcomas can be life-threatening when the tumour has spread to other parts of the body or has enlarged. Early detection of sarcoma through regular checkups and appropriate treatment are the keys to complete recovery and also cuts down medical costs comparatively. This type of cancer can be seen both in adults and young children.

They are rare in the general population and account for less than 1% of all adult cancers. It is more common in children, accounting for around 15% of all childhood cancers. Its prevalence in the Indian population is estimated to be about 0.9%.

“Earlier the better” is the tagline that suits best for any kind of cancer treatment. An accurate diagnosis can be established based on a thorough physical examination, imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT scan and MRI and a tissue biopsy of the affected area. These tests are also useful in giving us important insights regarding the best treatment options available.

Sarcoma is usually managed with surgery when it is localised. Other treatments might be used before or after the surgery. The choice of treatment depends on several factors such as the type of sarcoma, its location, how aggressive the cells are and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Current treatment options available include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, rarely targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy. Surviving sarcoma is possible if diagnosed early when treatment can be effective and before cancer has spread to other areas. Referral to a specialist sarcoma team as early as possible is essential for patients.

Lack of awareness leads to slow progress through research and drug development made more challenging. More research is needed to further understand how sarcomas develop and spread, as well as how best to diagnose and treat them. Thank you for reading and for being a part of Sarcoma Awareness Month! God bless you!